Move to resolve Indian fishermen issue

The National Fishworkers Forum (NFF) has welcomed the statement of Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena on the need for an early solution for resolving the Palk Bay conflict involving India and Sri Lanka.

In a statement, M. Ilango, former MLA and Chairperson of NFF, said the statement calling for an early solution to the problem was released by the President’s office in Colombo on the sidelines of the 71st session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Sushma’s efforts lauded

Mr. Ilango said that the Sri Lankan President had made the announcement for an early solution following the sustained steps taken by the External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in this regard.

He recalled that Ms. Swaraj had recently chaired a meeting of fishermen representatives from Tamil Nadu and Puducherry in New Delhi on the need to work out a permanent solution to the fishermen issue.

Fishermen from six coastal districts are now eagerly waiting for the fourth round of talks scheduled between fishermen of Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka to find an early solution to the conflict, Mr. Ilango added.